WINNIPEG — One new probable case of COVID-19 (coronavirus) has been identified in Manitoba, bringing the total number of lab-confirmed positive and probable positive cases to 21.

The latest case is a man in his 40s from Winnipeg. Officials are investigating its origins to determine if the case is related to travel.

Dr. Brent Roussin, chief provincial public health officer, says more than 4,500 tests have been completed as of Monday for COVID-19 at Cadham Provincial Laboratory inside HSC Winnipeg.

Roussin also confirmed that fewer than 10 tests conducted at the Access Fort Garry clinic were damaged due to leakage while in transport to the Cadham lab. The patients related to those cases have been contacted and retests will need to be scheduled.

As for the community-based transmission of COVID-19, Dr. Roussin says Manitoba could begin seeing such cases in about three weeks from when the first case was reported. The province announced its first presumptive positive cases of the coronavirus on March 12.

Dr. Roussin says the Cadham lab is working to increase testing later this week, but is prioritizing those most at-risk due to a worldwide shortage of reagent. Those patients include recent international travellers, First Nations residents, people in hospital or long-term care facilities as well as healthcare workers.

New testing site in Winkler

A new community testing drive-thru site will officially open Wednesday in Winkler at the Winkler Centennial Arena at 600 Park Street. Hours are daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. When it opens, it will be Manitoba’s 12th community testing site and fourth drive-thru location. The public is reminded that a referral to these sites is needed and they are not walk-in clinics.